Let’s talk about death. No, really—let’s. Because if there’s one thing we all have in common (besides an unhealthy love of instant noodles), it’s that none of us are getting out of this life alive. And yet, funeral cover is one of those things we know we need but avoid like a WhatsApp group chat with our in-laws.
I learned this the hard way when my great-aunt Mavis passed away unexpectedly. (Rest in peace, Aunt Mavis—your trifle was legendary.) The funeral was beautiful, but the scramble to cover costs? Not so much. That’s when I discovered Hollard Funeral Cover—and let me tell you, it’s not just another grim insurance policy.
So, grab a coffee (or something stronger), and let’s break it all down—what it covers, what it doesn’t, and whether it’s actually worth your hard-earned cash.
Funeral cover is like a financial safety net for the inevitable. You pay a small monthly premium, and when the unthinkable happens, the policy pays out to cover funeral expenses. Simple, right?
But here’s the thing—not all funeral covers are created equal. Some are stingy with payouts, others drown you in fine print, and a few make you jump through hoops just to claim. Hollard? Well, they’re one of the bigger players in South Africa, and they’ve got some interesting perks.
Flexible options (cover for just yourself, or your whole family)
Quick payouts (because funerals don’t wait for bureaucracy)
Bonus benefits (some policies throw in grocery vouchers—yes, really)
But before you sign up, let’s talk about the real deal—because I’ve been burned before.
A few years ago, I thought I was being responsible by getting funeral cover. I picked the cheapest option (because, well, budgeting), patted myself on the back, and moved on with my life.
Then, my cousin passed away.
Turns out, my "affordable" policy only covered R20,000. Have you seen funeral costs lately? That barely covered the coffin, let alone the tent, catering, and transport. My family had to dig into savings, and let’s just say… it wasn’t pretty.
That’s when I realized: cheap funeral cover is like buying a parachute made of tissue paper—it won’t help when you really need it.
Funeral expenses (coffin, burial, catering, etc.)
Cash payouts (for family to use as needed)
Cover for extended family (parents, in-laws, even stepkids)
Groceries or airtime vouchers (because grief shouldn’t come with a side of hunger)
Repatriation (if your loved one passes away far from home)
Counselling services (mental health support matters)
Waiting periods (usually 6 months—no last-minute sign-ups)
Exclusions (certain causes of death might not be covered)
Claim deadlines (miss the window, and you’re out of luck)
Here’s the thing—funeral cover isn’t expensive, but it can add up if you’re covering a big family.
Individual cover (R50,000 payout): ~R100–R150/month
Family cover (R100,000+ payout): ~R300–R500/month
Is it worth it? Well…
If you have savings, maybe not.
If your family would struggle with costs, absolutely.
If you’ve ever had to take out a loan for a funeral, why haven’t you signed up yet?
Peace of mind (no one wants to leave their family scrambling)
Fast payouts (Hollard usually processes claims within 48 hours)
Flexible family options (because blended families are complicated)
Waiting periods suck (you can’t just sign up after a diagnosis)
Inflation is a thief (R50k today won’t cover the same in 10 years)
Some exclusions feel unfair (e.g., suicide clauses)
Claim rejections happen (usually due to missed payments or undisclosed info)
Sales agents can be pushy (no, I don’t want to upgrade every month)
Auto-debit fails (and then your cover lapses—fun!)
Calculate actual funeral costs (ask a funeral parlour for quotes).
Decide who to cover (just you? Parents? In-laws?).
Compare waiting periods (some are longer than others).
Read reviews (some people have strong feelings about claims).
Set up auto-debit (because life gets busy).
If you’re the kind of person who likes to be prepared (or has ever panicked about "what if?" at 3 AM), then yes—Hollard Funeral Cover is a solid choice.
But if you’ve got enough savings to cover a funeral without breaking a sweat? Maybe skip it.
As for me? I upgraded my policy after my cousin’s funeral. Because next time, I want to focus on remembering the person—not stressing over the bill.
Do you have funeral cover? Ever had to claim? Share your stories (or warnings!) below—I’d love to hear them.